Tag: health

As a child, I remember sugar and sweet treats predominantly being party food. Dessert consisted of peaches and ice cream or jelly and custard, once a week. It wasn’t a privilege, it was a luxury. Something we knew not to even bother asking about. We knew when it was allowed.

Fast forward to 2018. Lunch boxes are packed with treats and snacks packed with sugar. Schools have to send notes home to parents requesting for junk food to NOT be sent in their lunch boxes. I see families out with their young kids with fizzy drinks bubbling away in their juice bottles. What is the world coming to?

Sugar doesn’t full a child’s stomach.
It doesn’t feed their brains.
It feeds cancer cells.
It creates obesity.
Sugar is an addiction.

Feeding your kids wholesome foods and keeping sugary treats for parties, and special occasions is not depriving them. It is doing them a favour. Providing your child’s body with goodness is one of the best things you can do for them.

I’ve heard many parents saying that it is easier for them (perhaps working parents) to just throw a couple of snacks into a lunchbox because they don’t have time to prepare lunches. I don’t agree! This post was created for those parents. It is possible to choose healthier alternatives to junk food.

Here’s my list featured in the photos:

– Rice Crackers (the ones without any flavouring – avoid the ones that are covered in a powdery flavouring). My son also loved the ones covered in carob and yoghurt as a toddler.
– Droerwors (I buy a few sticks, and then just break the longer strips into about ¾ pieces. This goes a long way!)
– Dried fruit (Again, I buy a big pack, and only put 2-3 pieces into his lunchbox – remember, even when feeding your child healthy snacks – it’s about portion control).
– Berries/fruit (I wouldn’t usually add both fruit and dried fruit into his lunchbox on the same day, but just wanted to show options).
– Animal crackers (I buy them from Woolies, they’re plain with no flavouring).
– Baby Tomatoes / Baby Carrots / Cucumber

#Ceresfruitjuice challenged me to creating three nutrient packed lunches for Olly over three weeks. Less sugar – more goodness relating it to the new lunch box solution – Ceres Fruit & Water Swirl.

They have already diluted the juice with water meaning that there is no fuss and no arguments with the tiny humans. They taste delicious, and are perfect for party packs, outings, and school lunch boxes. I’ve seen the difference in my 3 year olds behavior and attention span when unnatural sugars are eliminated from his daily diet.

When my three and a half year old son returns from school, I often find myself feeling rather uninspired by what to give him for lunch. Sometimes he’s so exhausted when he gets home that he goes straight to his bed for a nap, but other times he’s starving.

It was actually great to be challenged by Ceres to create a nutritious lunch for him, which has really made me think out of the box. What he eats for lunch AFTER school, is just as important as what I put in his lunch box. It needs to fuel his brain and give him energy for the rest of the day. I often find that when he has junk – his attention span goes from 10-1 in the blink of an eye and the tantrums begin. My son really is sensitive to sugar, and as he gets older I notice it more.

He thrives from wholesome food and meals that are packed with nutrition. Being a growing boy, he needs to be fed food that is healthy rather than food that has been processed. I’ve often said that you know you’ve done a healthy grocery shop when you haven’t gone down any of the middle aisles of the grocery store, simply sticking to the bordering aisles which are home to all the fresh food.

He squealed with delight when he saw his dinosaur themed lunch – it was amazing watching him remain calm while eating, and being able to wind down because there was no junk. Had I added any sugary treats or junk, he would have wound up and become wild instead. I do believe that when their food has created to be appealing to the eye, even the fussier kids are more likely to eat it. Perhaps decide on a weekly theme with your little ones to keep things exciting!

I also love being able to simply grab one of the new Ceres Fruit and Water Swirl juice boxes to add to his lunch. Keeping hydrated, especially in this hot, dry weather that Cape Town is handing us, I love that these are diluted with water too. As good as fruit juice tastes on a hot day, as well as the natural sugar giving us the energy that we need, the water is really what quenches our thirst. Again, instead of having to add water myself to dilute his juice, it has already been done for us! This specific one featured – Fruit Punch has 50% less sugar that Ceres 100% Medley of Fruit. This is phenomenal for our little people. Giving them just the right proportions of each.

It is boiling hot in Cape Town today, and instead of giving my son ice cream to cool him down and as a treat, we will instead be enjoying fun ice lollies made from these juice boxes!

Kids are so sensitive to sugar and they don’t understand why they are feeling hyped up, or feeling strange because of their energy crashing down after the sugar high wears off. And we often take our frustration of not understanding why they are behaving differently out on them. I’ve seen how sugar affects my son, it always has. It isn’t a pretty site. And I am learning to keep junk food out of the house which means that it is kept sacred for parties and special occasions. So, I really do love that Ceres has launched this new Fruit and Water Swirl which is just an extra helping hand to us moms to limit the sugar intake for our kids. Keeping their bodies as well as teeth healthier.

I would love for you to share your thoughts with me, telling me how you control your childs sugar intake. And I will choose one of you who I will send a pack of the Ceres Fruit and Water Swirl 6 packs to to try for yourself!

As moms, many of us find that part of our household responsibility is doing the grocery shopping. We make most of the decisions as to what we will be putting in our children’s lunch boxes – ensuring that they have energy and are well fed. Either us or our child’s carer will prepare meals for them when they return from school, but generally influenced by us.

We are officially back into the swing of things with our kids back at school. And, when better a time to start a healthy routine for your kids than now? In the beginning of the first term.

Something I am a firm believer in is keeping my toddlers lunch boxes free of any junk food. I like to only put fresh food in his lunch box, which means that I avoid anything that has been processed. In fact, one of the reasons I chose the school that he goes to is because of their strict lunchbox guidelines.

Ceres challenged me to prepare nutritional lunches for my son. This was a simple task for me, because it is an honest post from my side as we always prepare healthy lunches that are sent to school with him. I truly do believe that sugar does nothing for a child. Kids need food that will feed their brains, keeping them awake, alert and eager to learn. Sugar gives a child an unhealthy high that leaves them crashing in record breaking time.

I don’t know about you, but I have always diluted Olly’s fruit juice with water. It’s a 50/50 ratio of water to juice. I do sometimes find it challenging, especially with the water crisis in Cape Town – we are either running short of bottled water, or the bottle is so big that I end up spilling half of it when adding it to his juice bottle. But now, Ceres has launched a brand-new Fruit and Water Swirl juice box in three flavours!

– Apple

– Raspberry & Apple

– Fruit Punch

Tasting them myself, I could really taste just how diluted they have made them – which is great! I love that I can send fruit juice with him to school that is exactly how I would have done it myself. They really are the perfect lunchbox solution! I love that it still has the same taste, but with less sugar! I feel that many parents get lazy and just allow their kids to drink juice because of the ‘effort’ it takes to dilute it.

I was curious to see my three and a half year old sons reaction to the new Ceres Fruit and Water Swirl options, because when he does occasionally get juice boxes, they aren’t diluted which I have no control over. However, he just loved it and didn’t seem at all phased by the ‘change in taste’. I now feel better knowing that if we are rushing out of the house, I can just grab a juice box without cringing at knowing that I haven’t had the opportunity to dilute it.

I want to challenge you to contribute to this conversation by telling me how you control your childs sugar intake. I will send one reader who has commented a 6 pack of Ceres Fruit and Water Swirl in the flavor of their choice to try.

Being totally in sync with your body and mind is an incredibly challenging task when you aren’t even quite sure when you last managed to get up from your desk to get a glass of water. I sometimes find myself frantically scanning my brain to try and remember if and what I ate for breakfast.

Life gets so busy, and our bodies are such complicated things, that sometimes we need a little hand to keep in control of things. I’ve tried a couple of gadgets in the past, and I always felt that there was something missing. There were still things that I felt slightly out of control of – there were still aspects of my everyday health and wellbeing that I felt puzzled about.

So when I heard about the Bellabeat Leaf I needed to know more. Smart jewelry created just for us women. Something that looks chic and beautiful rather than colourful and sporty. A versatile piece of jewelry that can be worn in three ways. It works for every different personality. Pretty from the outside and intelligent on the inside, just like us women.

You’re probably starting to get curious, and I am sure that if you are anything like me, the questions are starting to roll in your mind.

The Bellabeat Leaf can be worn as a bracelet, a necklace or a clip. It is lightweight and comfortable. I was worried that I would maybe find that the area of skin beneath it would feel sweaty, but it doesn’t at all. I am personally not a fan of necklaces – so I always wear my Leaf as a bracelet.

There are two designs which are home to the same features. The Leaf Nature which is natural wood, splash proof and 48x30x13mm and then there is the Leaf Urban, which is the one that I have – it is wood composite, water resistant and 48x28x11.5mm. They are both made of hypoallergenic stainless steel.

WHAT DO THEY COST?

The Leaf Urban retails for R2999, and the Leaf Nature retails for between R2599 and R3249 depending on which one you choose.

I love that my Leaf simply sync’s to my iPhone. The app is easy to use and very easy to read. So you most certainly won’t find yourself struggling to understand what is going on. You can easily connect with Apple Health or Google Git to sync all of your data in one place.

What does it track?

Features:

– Tracks your steps, daily activities and calories burned
– Monitors your sleep quantity and quality
– Helps you manage stress through guided meditations and breathing exercise (you can also set alarms that remind you to do this).
– Enables you to keep track of your menstrual cycle (Probably one of the most beneficial parts to me, and one of the selling points – this is something I struggle with, having PCos).
– Gently wakes you up with soothing vibration
– Reminds you to stay active with the Inactivity Alert
– Made with natural, sustainable and hypoallergenic materials
– No charging – powered by a replaceable battery which only needs to be replaced every several months

How does it work?

Packed with highly sensitive movement sensors and with secure data backup, Leaf runs 24/7. While you are sleeping, meditating, or being active. When you’re ready to see your results, it wirelessly syncs with the Bellabeat app, available for iOS and Android.

My thoughts?

I have found that I have wanted to be more active and healthy in order to see positive results. I have always felt that seeing results always motivates me. I love that I can keep track of how much water I drink and how much sleep I get. Being a mom, I guess I find this fascinating as no two nights of sleep are the same. I also find that I sometimes sit for half of the day, purely because I need to get work done on the computer – now I can remind myself to get up and move by simply setting an alarm. This is great for women who work in the office, as we can get so carried away with the task in front of us, that we don’t get a moment to get up and move – whether it is just going up and down the stairs or walking around the office to wake up a bit. I also often find myself forgetting to drink enough water – resulting in me feeling nauseous or with a migraine, so I love that I can set an alarm to remind myself every hour or so to get up to drink some water.

For me, as I mentioned above, the fact that the Leaf tracks my menstrual cycle is a major selling point. Now I can learn the ins and outs of my body’s internal clock and I get valuable feedback about my reproductive health. Leaf’s innovative ovulation calculator and fertility charts allow me to view my ovulation, premenstrual, and period days at a glance. This is incredible! And I am so excited to learn more about this, as it has always been something I have been so unfamiliar with! I’m sure that so many of us can relate to this!

I also really like that it can predict stress before it even happens. This means that you can tackle it head on. They explain that your activity levels, sleep quality and reproductive health all affect how stressed you feel. By simply monitoring your daily habits, Leaf can detect patterns that may cause stress before it swoops in.

I have received uncountable queries and compliments on my Leaf! I’ve even had a lady follow me down a couple aisles at the grocery store as she just needed to find out what it was because it looked so beautiful. She couldn’t believe what was happening inside such a minimalist piece of jewelry! But, apart from the compliments – it truly has benefited me. I feel like I am finally on the right path. Fitness and health is one thing, but actually understanding what is happening on the inside of your body is a totally different ballgame – and I’ve finally found the perfect solution that can help me with exactly that. And I am now more determined than I have ever been.

TELL ME WHERE I CAN GET IT…NOW!

To place your order, please head over to labelcollections.com
For any enquiries you can pop Nadia an email at nadia@labelcollections.com

We are currently sitting smack bam into a week.
I always find Wednesdays insane.
Half way through the week, but just out of reach of the weekend.

Hanging in there by a thread, longing for the craziness of the week to just slow down a little.
Olly is wild. I’ve started referring to Wednesday’s as ‘Wild Wednesday’,
He’s always a little more clingy, emotional and it’s generally a day of nagging.

Dinner time arrives, and I used to find myself frantically scurrying through the freezer to find something I could just fry/pop in the oven or microwave.
I must admit that before I started giving Olly meat, I only gave him the Fry’s ‘meatless’ products.
So, they have always been safe in our home. I know he won’t complain, and his tummy will be full.

That being said, I love having a freezer stocked up with these Fry’s Chicken styled Nuggets. I love them, Olly loves them and so does David.
I just pair them with some fresh baby tomatoes, some carrot sticks and tomato sauce and we are good to go. Everybody is happy.

Dinner time can become such a complicated time in your home sometimes.
I don’t like always feeling like I need to turn to overpriced takeaways when a day gets out of control.
Sometimes, we can plan ahead and stock up our freezers for those days instead.

These chicken style nuggets are Olly’s absolute favourite out of the Fry’s Family products.
They literally just need to be popped in the oven for a couple of minutes, and BAM, dinner is served! They are also perfect for adults, might I add. They really aren’t just made for kids. They just love them.

Also suitable for vegans, BUT, not for people who are gluten intolerant. They are packed with the perfect protein replacements, so one doesn’t need to worry about not getting their protein in their meals.

Fry’s has a large range of meat-free products, so there really is something for everyone. You can find them at most of the leading stores. I mostly buy mine from my local Pick ‘n Pay, just because they have a very large range, and it is just convenient for me.

They have lovely, very inspiring and insightful social media platforms that you can check out too:

Thinking back on my childhood, I vividly recall my Dad having a shake each morning. I would be up for school early, and my Dad would have returned from gym or from a run, and he would be drinking the most amazing vanilla shake. I remember getting a sip every now and then, and I think I would occasionally have the chance to have my own. To this day, I remember the smell and taste. I loved it!

Fast forward, probably about 18 years, and I finally have my own Vanilla shake in my cupboards. The Xcell Mind Boost and Junior shake by Tempus Dynamics, to be precise. I use these shakes as an additional supplement to my diet and I really have noticed a major difference in mine and Olly’s energy levels. I often find that my energy levels drop severely around 12pm. My body craves some kind of pick me up. My fatigue can be so intense at times, I once thought I was pregnant because of how similar it was to that first trimester fatigue!

I have tried so many things, however found that the Xcell Mind Boost works really well for me. These shakes are packed with so much goodness! Plus for Olly, the Junior Shake allows me to give him all the essential vitamins and nutrients that his growing body needs, easy peasy, no fuss or effort!

I know that many will read the label and perhaps be put off by the Soy in the shakes, however, I’ve learnt that the soy in the Xcell product range is certified GMO free! Also good to know is that the Xcell products are developed and are based on 20 years of research in cellular nutrition. It is specifically formulated for today’s stressful lifestyles, that so many of us can relate to and it feels good knowing that you nourishing yourself at a cellular level.

Many families and individuals think that ‘Hey, I take my dose of vitamins each day, I don’t need anything else.’ Or, ‘My kids eat enough fruit and veggies, and also take multi-vitamins each day, they’re good to go!’ What I’ve learnt is that MSM is often missing and is such an important component to our overall health and these shakes include MSM.

Here’s what I’ve learnt about MSM, it’s an essential nutrient has been overlooked by most leading health products. MSM is present in every cell of plants and animals but, somehow tends to be overlooked in the essential role it plays in human nutrition.

MSM is good for so many things, Tempus Dynamics explained the following:

“This forgotten nutrient is the 3rd largest component in your body and is very necessary to maintain optimum health.

Your body uses MSM on a cellular level to ensure that nutrients are delivered into the cells and that toxins are removed. MSM is essential for the replacement of old cells with new healthy ones. Your body is in a constant state of repair and supplementation with MSM ensures that your cell perform this function – but if you do not have all the essential nutrients the end result will be less than perfect.

MSM has even been termed nature’s beauty mineral because of its ability to maintain glossy hair and a clear youthful complexion.

Indeed, researchers have claimed that supplementation with MSM may alleviate the following;

Reduce stiffness and swelling

Improve joint flexibility

Alleviate stress and heartburn

Increase alertness and brain function

Improve circulation

Alleviate dehydration thereby improving detoxification

Reduce scar tissue

Inhibit chemical carcinogen

Discourage micro-organism infestation (including Candida Albicans)

Help with gum disease

Protect the sinuses from nasal congestion

Improve brittle hair and nails

Alleviate acne

Help with depression and memory loss

MSM is a component of insulin, which regulates the uptake of glucose by the cells for use as energy. Athletes may find MSM particularly useful in the reduction of lactic acid build-up. Studies have shown that in athletes, along with reducing leg cramps, the recovery time of cramping in marathon runners who were given MSM dropped by 75%.”

I often wonder what Olly’s reaction to a new product that needs to be drank will be. He is like me in the way that he is a bit tactile intolerant. I struggle to eat, touch or drink things with a specific texture. I am physically unable to eat certain porridge or drink things that have bits in. But, we both loved the shake. I use this phrase a lot – You can’t taste the ‘health’ in it. But, it certainly seems to benefit both of us with our energy and concentration levels.
The benefits above are enough for anybody to be tempted to buy the product – but from my own personal experience, I do feel like it is really worth buying and having your family drink a shake each day.

They can choose between Chocolate and Vanilla flavor. I just always prefer vanilla drinks over chocolate, so I am unable to tell you what the chocolate is like, but if it’s anything like the vanilla flavor then it will be divine!

**I must add in that kids tend to be so much fussier these days when it comes to what they are willing to eat. It can be a battle in many homes to get kids to eat their veggies. And for some, it’s easier to just give in. As parents, we want what is best for our kids, and sometimes just making sure they have eaten something so they don’t go hungry is what is important to us. This means that they full up on things that don’t feed their brains. They go to school, and they are unable to concentrate, they’re tired and they get hungry quickly. For kids like that, this Xcell Junior shake really is a perfect substitute for kids aged 1 to 10. You could probably even add it into a smoothie for an extra kick!

For some families, breakfast comes easily. I’ve always been one who has struggled to eat breakfast too early in the morning, which for a long time left me feeling slightly stumped as to what I should prepare for Olly in the morning.

Oats has always been a favourite along with our tradition of having flapjacks on the weekend, but some mornings I just find he doesn’t want that, and so I found myself on the hunt for another healthier alternative.

When I heard about Kasha by The Fry Family, I knew that we had to give it a try in our home to try and change things up a little bit at breakfast time. It has very quickly become a new favourite with Olly.

It comes in two flavours – Vanilla & Chia, and Cacao. The high protein instant cereal is not only gluten free, but also suitable for vegans and is a non GM product, high in fiber and Low GI.

They recommend two options on how to use it – either as a meal or as a shake. I must admit that I prefer adding mine to a smoothie in the mornings, purely because I don’t enjoy eating breakfast, so I would much prefer to drink mine. Olly loves both options equally.

We enjoy ours with some cut up fruit and some nuts and seeds sprinkled on top. Divine! I must add that I have really noticed a difference in how long I can last between meals. And it’s great that Olly also stays full for longer with him being at school in the mornings.

You can mix your powder with water, but I do enjoy mixing mine with almond milk to make it slightly creamier.

You can find the Kasha range at Pick ‘n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, Dischem and Spar! And you’ll find it really does last a decent amount of time. The carton that your Kasha comes in is also re-usable which I love!

Today, I am sharing something slightly different with you. This isn’t a product review nor a competition, but rather just a few outfits I love from Topshop SA that I shot with Tegan Smith Photography.

The skirt has such a beautiful movement when the breeze catches it, and I really found that the monochrome stripes just complimented my body so well – making me look slim and tall! The slight flare to the arm of the black top was subtle but gorgeous. And the pastel pink shoes – I am obsessed! The entire outfit is perfect for a night out with the girls. Daff did a casual half up-do hairstyle and very natural makeup for this look.

This second look was a little edgy in comparison to my usual choice of outfit, but I loved it! I was a bit skeptical about wearing a dress that had a small opening, however, it is in the perfect position, which means it flaunts the non postpartum part of my tummy. The floral print is perfect for summer, and the leather jacket just ups it’s edginess a little. I loved the cute pastel pink clutch which complimented my shoes perfectly. I just wore my hair down for this look and again, my makeup is simple.

If you are a mom who is reading this, DO dress up, and DO sometimes follow that urge you have to get a little bit adventurous with your outfits. I had so much fun.

All of these looks (head to toe) are available at Topshop SA. So, it is super easy for you to get the complete outfit by simply popping into their store.

The hype from my 25th birthday two weeks ago is finally fading away, and the fatigue has set in after my sons third birthday last weekend. I think I was on some sort of high, perhaps some supernatural Adrenalin that ad kicked in that kept me going. Birthday party planning and semi-renovating our home at the same time. Call me crazy.

But, the one thing that hasn’t faded is my beautiful gelish nails that I had done as an early birthday treat at Rouge Day Spa a couple days before my birthday. What better way to spoil a girl and mom? Some down time, to herself to be pampered!

Rouge Day Spa has always been my go-to Spa. And, no! I’m NOT being paid to say that. Having been an old home before they bought it and transformed it into a cozy day spa, it’s just exactly what they call it: ‘Your home away from home’. It has become just that to me.

I get to sip on my HOT coffee in front of a fire without being interrupted by a toddler 46 times. I don’t have to get up even once to help him use the loo or to get him a drink, and then change the cup because it wasn’t the correct one. I can just close down the brain temporarily and be ALONE! It’s wonderful!

On a hot summer day, you can have your treatment and then stay for as long as you like after (get a babysitter!!!) and sip on a glass of champagne and have a swim in their gorgeous salt water pool.

And, it gets better – you can even join them for a girls movie night with your girlfriends to watch chick flicks and have your nails done while munching on some popcorn. The benefit is that, again – you don’t have to worry about any small humans bothering you or having your husband changing channels while you’re watching your movie.

Rouge Day Spa is just a treat. It’s my escape, my place of sanity, and it’s all I find that I need once in awhile to reboot my energy and my sanity. Every mom needs a little time to invest in themselves in order to be a good wife/partner and mother.

On a side note,I also find that in comparison to the walk in spas that you find in shopping centers, my gelish stays fresh at least a week longer after having it done at Rouge. They use quality products and really do a fantastic job.

I’ve had many treatments at Rouge, and every single one of them has been flawless! I’m comfortable, relaxed and leave feeling sane and ready to face the world again.

Rouge Day Spa is located in Kenilworth, Cape Town and you can find their price list and treatments on their website:

I remember how David and I used to get so excited to go grocery shopping at Food Lovers Market many years ago, purely to buy the Sir Juice strawberry juice. We would devour it within a few hours of being home just because it was so delicious, and so fresh on a hot summer day especially.

There’s something about that memory that makes me smile. Perhaps it was that we were still carefree – we weren’t parents yet, and it is just one of the few memories that are clear in my mind from before Olly arrived. We would always buy a bottle when going away on holiday, usually on some surf trip or even just for a day at the beach. Maybe a strange happy memory, but such an amazing one in my mind.

We still buy that on occasion, but try not to have too much juice in our home. And then, something magical happened. As you know, I’m currently investing a lot more time on my own personal health and wellness. I’m not only trying to lose weight, but I am trying to look after my body and to keep it clean – why? Because it deserves it.

So when I found out that Sir Juice has just come out with a brand new Cold Pressed range of juices, I was beyond excited. I was also inquistive. I try not to drink fruit juice anymore, but my sugar levels do sometimes drop quite low, and sometimes I just need a little energy and nutrient boost, and who doesn’t crave a little bit of sweetness sometimes? The best news is that there is NO added sugar, stabalisers, flavours or colours!

I was surprised to be quite honest, I didn’t think they would be as delicious as they are. My favourite is the Apple, beetroot, raspberry, orange, carrot & ginger. The beetroot is the main flavour that comes through, but the tang and sweetness from the orange and raspberry really tricks your tastebuds. It was divine, and I actually wanted more after I finished it. That’s always a good sign!

The other two are also delicious, and have been made with just the correct amount of each ingredient.

They last up to 20 days in the fridge as long as they are closed – however, do finish the opened bottle within a day and half of opening it. And, just another great little bit of news is that even my three year old son LOVES them! It sucks in a way, because it means that I have to share mine — BUT, it also means that it is an easy way to get their nutrients and veggies into their little bodies without them even knowing!

I must also add that it was one of the most beautifully presented packages I have ever recieved. Complete with the ingredients that are used in the juices – fresh, delicious and refreshing.

I am so excited about these and can’t wait to let you know which stores in your area stock them so you can get your hands on them too!